COLUMBUS, Miss. – Talking about money in most situations usually can be a sensitive matter, but especially when it comes to salary negotiation.

The Columbus/MUW Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) is hosting $tart $mart workshops on campus this fall to teach students how to negotiate realistic and fair salaries.

The two $tart $mart negotiation workshops will provide students with the knowledge and skills to successfully negotiate their first professional salary and benefit package, according to Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer. Role-playing, discussion and lecture will be a part of the sessions.

There will be two workshops offered this fall:

The first will be held Monday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Painter Hall, Room 113. Drs. Erin Kempker and Beverly Joyce will lead this workshop. Students must reply to Dr. Kempker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The second will be held Friday, Nov. 22, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Parkinson Hall, Room 104. Drs. Dorothy Berglund, Dionne Fortenberry, Debbie Miranda and Bonnie Oppenheimer will be leading this workshop. Students must reply to Dr. Oppenheimer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Free pizza will be served.

Studies have shown that multiple issues affect salary decisions, and for women there continues to be a pay gap between their male peers, possibly because men prove more willing to negotiate salaries and benefits than women.

Dr. Berglund, vice president of the Columbus/MUW Branch, said, “We are proud to host these workshops. Students who attend will learn how to figure out what they are worth doing a particular job, and then learn how to get paid their worth.”

More than 20 participants attended the first $tart $mart workshop at The W last spring.

Brianna Warner, political science major, said, “$tart $mart was revelatory for me and the other women who attended the workshop. None of us had any experience in negotiating salaries and benefits; most of us didn't even know we were allowed to negotiate at all.

“$tart $mart is an invaluable resource that can change women's work lives for the better; I know that it has already changed mine and the dozens of other women who attended the first $tart $mart workshop.”

The Columbus/MUW Branch of AAUW, Phi Beta Lamda, Women’s Studies Teaching Circle, the College of Business and Professional Studies and W Office of the President are sponsoring the workshops.

The workshop is free and open to all W students; registration is preferred. All students are invited to attend, but graduating seniors (December or May) may be especially interested.